1,000 Tausugs Who Fought Americans Declared ?Martyrs of Freedom?
MANILA (March 7, 2006) — The Senate approved Tuesday night a resolution recommending that about 1,000 men, women and children from the Tausug tribe in Sulu who died in defense of their homeland against American colonial troops a hundred years ago be honored as ?martyrs of freedom.?
The senators in Senate Resolution No. 70, said the Tausug warriors and members of their families who fought the foreign invaders in the Battle of Bud Dajo deserve to be recognized for their courage and heroism.
?Seldom in history do we find such bravery as that displayed by the Tausugs at Bud Dajo,? said Senate minority leader Aquilino ?Nene? Pimentel, Jr., principal author of the resolution.
Councilor Angela Librado, who heads the Committee on Women and Children at the City Council, and Councilor Suzabel Reta, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, convinced their colleagues to shelve the idea, which they deem offensive to women, particularly during the celebration today of the International Women?s day.